It's Ramp Season
Posted: | Categories: Substack Archives | Tags:substackWe spent Mother’s Day in the Catskills at my parents’ lake house—not far from my grandparents’ bungalow I visited growing up. This time of year, the area is overflowing with ramps. They even grow by the side of the road.
For the uninitiated: ramps are wild onions, similar to scallions and leeks, with a milder flavor. If you're in the Northeast, you don’t have to forage them yourself—ramps are all over farmers markets and even on FreshDirect. Maybe you remember them from these tacos a few weeks ago?
There are still about 5 minutes of ramp season left, so grab them while you can. Today’s recipes put the seasonal greens in the spotlight, with easy swaps if you can’t find them near you. Perfect for dinner and lunch the next day. Here’s what’s on the menu:
Ramp & Chicken Meatballs with Ramp Pesto
Farro Salad with Ramps & Spring Veggies
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Ramp Pasta Salad
Ramp & Chicken Meatballs with Ramp Pesto
This is my favorite recipe to make when ramps are in season. They’re filled with ramps inside and out. The purée inside makes them juicy, and then they’re tossed in a delicious pesto made with more ramps. Make the pesto on its own if you aren’t a chicken person. It’s great to top a salad, drizzle over asparagus or green beans, or serve with pasta.
Farro Salad with Ramps & Spring Veggies
This has all the crunch I love of spring veggies, plus delicate ramp flavor. Swapping out ramps for scallions and a little arugula is the next best way to enjoy this. The leftovers are just as good the next day (the farro soaks up all the delicious flavor), serve with your favorite protein or on its own.
Ramp Pasta Salad
Bookmark this now for Memorial Day weekend. It’s the perfect combination of light pasta salad with crunchy veggies and is packed with flavor. It’s the perfect side when you’re grilling and don’t want to make 100 different dishes—this one has it all.
